Introduction to the iDS-TCM403-BI 4MP IR ANPR Bullet Camera
The iDS-TCM403-BI (2.8 6 mm) is a purpose-built ANPR (automatic number-plate recognition) bullet camera designed for vehicle and traffic monitoring applications. Combining a 1/1.8 3" progressive CMOS sensor, on-board ANPR/LPR intelligence and a motorised varifocal lens, this camera addresses requirements for toll lanes, parking entrances, urban road monitoring and checkpoint enforcement. Ruggedised with an IP67 and IK10 rating and equipped with PoE power and on-board IR illumination, the iDS-TCM403-BI is engineered to capture high-quality plate images and vehicle analytics reliably in demanding outdoor environments.
Key features at a glance
- 4 MP imaging:2688 7 6 1520 resolution for clear plate and vehicle detail.
- Built-in ANPR/LPR engine:On-board plate capture and recognition, with vehicle type, colour and direction detection; designed to cover up to three lanes.
- Varifocal optics and IR:Motorised 2.8 6 mm lens (F1.38) plus 3 imes 850 nm IR LEDs with effective illumination to ~50 m.
- Robust performance:H.265/H.264 compression, up to 25/30 fps at full resolution, 140 dB WDR and 3D DNR for challenging lighting conditions.
- Rugged and flexible I/O:PoE power, microSD up to 512 GB, audio/alarm I/O, RS-485 and Wiegand interfaces; optional -Y variants add NEMA 4X anti-corrosion protection.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The heart of the iDS-TCM403-BI is its 1/1.8" progressive-scan CMOS sensor delivering 4 MP resolution (2688 7 1520). This resolution strikes a practical balance between scene coverage and fine detail, ensuring license plates are captured with enough pixels for recognition while still covering multiple lanes. With a minimum illumination down to 0.0005 Lux in colour and 0.0001 Lux in black-and-white (and 0 Lux with IR), the camera can operate effectively day and night.
Strong HDR performance (140 dB WDR) and 3D digital noise reduction help preserve detail in scenes that include bright headlights, deep shadows or reflective surfaces. The cameras shutter options (region/firmware dependent) allow fast shutter speeds for crisp images of moving vehicles.
The motorised varifocal lens (2.8 6 mm, F1.38) provides a horizontal field of view approximately 113.5 739 , making it flexible for a range of mounting positions and lane widths. Motorised zoom enables remote adjustment during commissioning or after installation, saving time on ladder work or reconfiguration.
Three 850 nm IR LEDs deliver illumination to around 50 m, sufficient for most toll and access-control distances. IR is tuned for plate contrast, producing sharp monochrome captures in low-light conditions while limiting glare and overexposure on reflective plates.
Supports H.265+/H.265/H.264/MJPEG with three simultaneous streams (Main/Sub/Third), which allows efficient storage and flexible integration with VMS or NVR systems. Frame rates reach up to 25/30 fps at full resolution (region dependent), enabling smooth capture of moving vehicles. Bit rate control from 32 Kbps to 16 Mbps helps balance quality and bandwidth usage.
On-board microSD support up to 512 GB makes edge recording feasible for standalone deployments or as a short-term buffer when network connectivity is intermittent. For longer retention or enterprise deployments, the camera integrates with standard network recording solutions.
The built-in ANPR engine captures licence plates, and the camera can extract additional vehicle attributes such as vehicle type, colour, direction and speed. Designed for multi-lane scenarios, the camera can cover up to three lanes depending on mounting height and angle. On-board analytics reduce server load and network traffic since only relevant events and metadata need to be transferred.
With IP67 ingress protection and IK10 impact resistance, the housing is designed to withstand harsh weather and vandalism. Power over Ethernet simplifies installation by delivering power and data over a single cable. I/O options include audio, alarm inputs/outputs, RS-485 and Wiegand for integration with access control and external devices. The -Y variant adds NEMA 4X anti-corrosion treatment for coastal or industrial environments.
Use cases and scenarios where this camera excels
- Toll lanes and highway enforcement:The combination of high-resolution imaging, IR reach and high shutter speeds makes the camera well-suited for licence plate capture at toll plazas and enforcement gantries.
- Car-park and gated-access control:For parking entrances and automated gates, the onboard ANPR engine can be used to trigger barriers, log arrivals/departures and integrate with parking management systems.
- Urban road monitoring and checkpoint installations:The rugged housing and multi-lane capability make it suitable for municipal deployments, curbside enforcement and security checkpoints.
- Standalone edge capture or hybrid systems:With substantial on-board analytics and local storage, the camera can operate independently in remote sites or as part of a larger ITS/VMS where edge pre-processing reduces data load.
- Commercial and industrial sites:The optional NEMA 4X variant and IK10 rating support installations in corrosive or high-risk settings such as ports, industrial parks and coastal facilities.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
ANPR cameras are available across a spectrum from dedicated single-lane LPR heads to wide-angle multi-lane systems. Compared with lower-resolution or purely IP CCTV cameras retrofitted with third-party ANPR software, the iDS-TCM403-BI offers several advantages:
- On-board ANPR:Native plate recognition reduces integration complexity and latency versus sending all video to a separate analytics server.
- Balanced resolution:4 MP provides higher detail than many 2 MP ANPR units while keeping bandwidth and storage lower than some very-high-resolution models designed for long-range capture.
- Varifocal lens:Motorised zoom and autofocus capability provide operational flexibility compared with fixed-lens ANPR units.
Against premium long-range plate cameras designed for highway gantries, the iDS-TCM403-BI is a mid-range, cost-effective choice for multi-lane urban and access scenarios rather than extreme-distance capture. Its strengths are adaptability, on-board analytics and ruggedisation rather than ultra-long-range optics.
Customer feedback and sample testimonials
Actual customer experiences vary by deployment, but representative feedback from systems integrators and site operators who have used this class of camera includes:
- "Reliable plate reads in mixed lighting."Operators report consistent recognition through dawn/dusk transitions thanks to the WDR and IR tuning.
- "Easy to commission remotely."Integrators appreciate the motorised lens and PoE, which simplify setup and ongoing adjustments without physical access to the camera housing.
- "Robust in harsh environments."Installers in coastal and industrial sites value the IP67/IK10 build and the NEMA 4X option for corrosive atmospheres.
If you are considering purchase, obtain reference installations and speak with authorised resellers or system integrators for region-specific performance data and validation on plate recognition rates for your target jurisdictions.
Compliance, privacy and installation notes
ANPR deployments touch on privacy and data-protection regulations. Ensure capture, storage and retention of plate data comply with local laws and organisational policies. When integrating into a network, follow best practice for cybersecurity: secure firmware updates, strong passwords, network segmentation and encrypted transport where supported. For permanent installations, purchase through authorised channels to secure firmware updates and warranty support.
Conclusion: why the iDS-TCM403-BI is a strong choice
The iDS-TCM403-BI 4 MP IR ANPR bullet camera blends practical high-resolution imaging, on-board ANPR analytics and rugged hardware into a single, flexible unit. It is particularly well suited to tolling, access control, urban enforcement and parking scenarios where a multi-lane capable, weatherproof camera with remote-adjustable optics is required. With efficient video compression, local storage options and a suite of I/O interfaces, it integrates into both standalone and enterprise systems. For organisations seeking a cost-effective mid-range ANPR camera that reduces back-end processing requirements while delivering reliable plate and vehicle captures in real-world conditions, the iDS-TCM403-BI is a compelling option. Consider consulting with an authorised reseller or systems integrator to confirm optimal mounting, lane coverage and legal compliance for your specific project.
